New York Cosmos confirm Raul interest

Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez is interested in joining New York Cosmos, according to the North American Soccer League club's manager, Giovanni Savarese.

Raul moved to Qatar in 2012.

Raul is now 36, and nearing the end of a two-year contract as a player and youth director with Qatari club Al-Sadd, after previously spending two seasons at Schalke in the Bundesliga.

The former Spain international has long been tipped to become a coach once he hangs up his boots, but reports have suggested he is keen to extend his playing career in the US first.

Savarese told Venezuelan paper El Universal that both the Cosmos and Raul were keen on reaching an agreement.

"There is mutual interest and it is pretty close to becoming a reality," Savarese said. "If an agreement is reached it would be interesting -- important from a footballing point of view for what he can still give on the field, and in the dressing-room, and also because he would enrich the group."